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Mt Coot-tha walking tracks and bike trails

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Explore Mt Coot-tha Reserve on foot or by bike. Find out about walking and riding trails. Download the track map.

Walk the tracks

Mt Coot-tha Reserve (also known as Mt Coot-tha Forest) covers more than 1,600 hectares. It has plenty of natural areas to explore.

Choose from more than 18.5 km of easy, moderate and difficult tracks.

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Tracks update

The Jacksonia Track, Golden Orb Track and Ghost Hole Track are closed until further notice due to damage sustained during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Other tracks in the reserve may have been impacted by rainfall and overland flow during the cyclone. Large washouts, ruts and uneven surfaces may be present on some tracks.

Make sure you exercise caution and be mindful of the increased difficulty on some tracks.

Popular walking tracks 

Hike to Mt Coot-tha Lookout, learn about the area’s rich history and see seasonal waterfalls on the reserve's most-loved walks.

Start at the J.C. Slaughter Falls Picnic Area and follow the mostly paved path up to the roundabout near the lookout. The track includes some stairs.

Stroll through open eucalypt forest and catch glimpses of the city. The track starts at the entry to the J.C. Slaughter Falls Picnic Area and ends near the lookout.

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Note

This is a shared-use track for walking and riding bikes or horses.

See the remains of an old gold mine and learn about the life of a miner along the way. The track starts at the Gold Mine Picnic Area. This easy return walk is suitable for all fitness levels.

Every visit to the falls is different. You will find rock ledges and trickles of water during the dry months, and a flowing waterfall after heavy rain. This connects to other tracks, including the Eugenia Circuit and Stringybark Track.

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Note

Moderate fitness is required.

Wind past eucalypt woodland, through vine forest and across creeks. Access to this moderately challenging track is via the Simpson Falls Track. It links with tracks to various picnic areas.

Get your heart rate up and keep an eye out for water dragons, butterflies and birds. This moderately challenging return route starts at Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, near the Reservoir Trail car park.

Download the Mt Coot-tha Forest Track Map to find information about the reserve’s tracks, trails and features. 

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Note

You can walk your dog in Mt Coot-tha Reserve. You must keep it on a lead and dispose of waste responsibly.

To let your dog off the leash, head to the nearest dog parks, Merri Merri Park or Green Hill Reservoir Park.

Walking and running in Brisbane

Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll, a dog-friendly bushwalk or a scenic running route, there’s a track for you.

Discover new tracks
Two men jogging on a riverside pathway at Kangaroo Point.

Ride the trails

Mt Coot-tha Reserve offers around 25 km of mountain biking trails. They range in difficulty from easy to very challenging.

You can also ride on more than 31 km of shared-use trails. For everyone’s safety, make sure you give way to walkers, runners and horse riders.

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Tracks update

Tracks in the reserve may have been impacted by rainfall and overland flow during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Large washouts, ruts and uneven surfaces may be present on some tracks.

Make sure you exercise caution and be mindful of the increased difficulty on some tracks.

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Note

Council is upgrading several mountain bike trails in Gap Creek and Gold Creek reserves.

Works will be undertaken between May and June 2025. This includes the closure of unsanctioned trails to protect the environment and visitors, and the formalisation of new authorised trails.

A section of Death Adder Trail, north of the Pipeline Trail intersection, will remain closed for the duration of the works.

Make sure you follow all onsite signage for the latest information about trail access and closures.

Read the Mt Coot-tha Reserve Mountain Bike Concept Plan to learn more about how we’re creating more mountain biking opportunities at the reserve.

Popular bike trails

Popular with beginner riders, this trail is perfect to practice your mountain biking skills.

Connect with another trail, such as Skink Link or the more challenging Dingo Trail.  

Warm up on this short but challenging route, starting and finishing at the car park on Gap Creek Road.

If this is too easy, take the link up to the much harder Curlew Circuit.

Navigate wall-ride berms, log rollovers and drop offs on this technical, one-way downhill track.

Pipeline Trail is considered the most difficult bike track in the reserve. It should only be attempted by experienced riders.

Put your riding skills to the test on this challenging trail. Connect with Cubberla Creek Trail, Bandicoot Byway or Wallaby Way for a longer ride.

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To stay updated about trail closures, re-openings and scheduled maintenance works, email the Mt Coot-tha Trail Care team. Include the word 'subscribe' in the subject field.

Trail difficulty

The bike trails at Mt Coot-tha are graded to help you choose routes based on your experience, fitness and skill level.

Pick an appropriate trail when riding in the forest.

You can find bike track locations and gradings in the track map.

Easy

Suitable for beginner riders. Trails have a width of 900 mm or more, gentle climbs and easier obstacles that are 50 mm tall or less.

More difficult

Suitable for intermediate riders with some mountain biking experience. Trails have a width of 600 mm or more, challenging slopes, tighter turns and larger obstacles that are 200 mm or more.

3 women walking with babies up a hill track at Mt Coot-tha Reserve.

Very difficult

Suitable for very skilled and experienced mountain bike riders. Trails have a width of 300 mm or more, difficult climbs and descents, loose or rough sections, tight turns and obstacles taller than 380 mm.

3 women walking with babies up a hill track at Mt Coot-tha Reserve.

Mt Coot-tha Trail Care program

The Mt Coot-tha Trail Care program is a community-driven initiative. It aims to maintain and improve Brisbane’s mountain bike trails and protect the natural environment around these trails.

The program is for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to keep the trails safe and sustainable.

As part of Council’s commitment to a clean and sustainable Brisbane, the program supports the following objectives.

  • Community involvement: The program is for all Brisbane residents. Volunteers get help and support to maintain trails.
  • Partnership: The program is a collaboration between Brisbane's mountain biking community and Council. It ensures trails are safe, well-maintained and resilient to weather.
  • Environmental protection: The program balances trail use with conservation. This ensures the trails are sustainable and have little impact on the environment.
  • Sustainability and safety: The program protects the environmental values of Mt Coot-tha Reserve. It also prioritises the safety of trail users and volunteers.

How to get involved

If you are interested in getting involved in this program, register online.

An experienced contractor and the Mt Coot-tha Trail Care team will support you with training and guidance.

Register your interest

Upcoming trail care days

  • 7-11am, Thursday 11 September 2025
  • 7-11am, Saturday 27 September 2025
  • 7-11am, Thursday 9 October 2025
  • 7-11am, Saturday 25 October 2025
  • 7-11am, Thursday 13 November 2025
  • 7-11am, Saturday 22 November 2025
  • 7-11am, Saturday 6 December 2025.
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We maintain our single-track trails to the International Mountain Biking Association standards. We undertake all work to meet these standards.

Trail update notifications

To get updates on trail closures, re-openings, or maintenance work, email Council with the word 'subscribe' in the subject line.

Mt Coot-tha Reserve Mountain Bike Concept Plan

Council is working with the community to create new, sustainable mountain biking opportunities at Mt Coot-tha Reserve.

These works include:

  • upgrading several mountain bike trails in Gap Creek and Gold Creek reserves
  • closing unsanctioned trails to protect the environment and visitors
  • formalising new, authorised trails.

Check onsite signage for the latest trail access and closure information.

Download the Mt Coot-tha Reserve Mountain Bike Concept Plan to discover more.